Psalm 44 by Danilo Kis (Serbian Literature)

Psalm 44 is recommended to readers willing to overlook its factual flaws to find its compelling truths and to admirers of Mr. Kiš’ writing who want to read his early work.
-NY Journal of Books

Synopsis

"Psalm 44" is the last major work of fiction by Danilo Kiš to be translated into English, and his only novel dealing explicitly with Auschwitz (where his own father died). Written when he was only twenty-five, before embarking on the masterpieces that would make him an integral figure in twentieth-century letters, Psalm 44 shows Kiš at his most lyrical and unguarded, demonstrating that even in "the place of dragons... covered with the shadow of death," there can still be poetry. Featuring characters based on actual inmates and warders--including the abominable Dr. Mengele--"Psalm 44" is a baring of many of the themes, patterns, and preoccupations Kiš would return to in future, albeit never with the same starkness or immediacy.

Danilo Kis was one of Serbia's most influential writers and the author of several novels and short-story collections, including "A Tomb for Boris Davidovich, The Encyclopedia of the Dead", and "Hourglass". In 1980 Kis was awarded the Grand Aigle d'Or from the city of Nice. He died in 1989 at the age of 54.Danilo Kis was one of Serbia's most influential writers and the author of several novels and short-story collections, including "A Tomb for Boris Davidovich, The Encyclopedia of the Dead", and "Hourglass". In 1980 Kis was awarded the Grand Aigle d'Or from the city of Nice. He died in 1989 at the age of 54.Aleksandar Hemon is the author of "The Lazarus Project, "which was a finalist for the 2008 National Book Award and the National Book Critics Circle Award, and three books of short stories: "The Question of Bruno"; "Nowhere Man", which was also a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award; and "Love and Obstacles". He was the recipient of a 2003 Guggenheim Fellowship and a "genius grant" from the MacArthur Foundation. He lives in Chicago.